To go back or not go back-that is the question

I am due back at work early September and I don't know what to do. The area I work in has just had a review and restructure and morale is low and not a nice environment to go back to. Before I went on maternity leave, my boss told me that I could do whatever I liked re coming back part time but I have been informed by the new EO that I can only return part time until DD is one and then I have to be full time. DH and I are not buying a house just yet so we have money in the bank and could afford to take time out to be with DD plus we want to try for another baby next year. We still haven't got a place at child care so there is a real possibility that we won't get in anywhere anyway. If I resign my long service leave will be paid out which is a nice plus. I have been looking to see if any part time positions are being advertised at the same place but nothing at my level. sigh. Don't get me started on DH situation but I guess these days job security is a thing of the past.

I guess I am just writing this down to clear my head but I worry about all kinds of things like when will be be able to afford to buy a house if I'm not working, we will have to start watching what we spend our money on and I'll have to be more active to have adult contact and DD play dates.

I saw a post from Fionas who said "there will always be money ready to be earnt but you can't wind back the clock and regain time with your baby". After reading this, I think I have almost made my mind up.

Sorry, wrong thread..

Tinsel,

I went back to work when my DD was just a little over 6 months. I'm a single mum so knew that I had to go back to work. I was hoping to have #2 but that just didn't happen. My one wish now is that I had taken more time off work to spend with my DD. It all just goes to quickly and they just grow far to fast. If you possibly can, spend as much time as possible with your bubs!

I know where you are coming from.

If I were in your situation I'd not be going back to work yet, but I know your decision is not as simple as it seems.

I am due to go back in Feb and am dreading it - I just don't want to go back even though I was quite happy in my job and things have changed for the better since I've been off. I just want to be a SAHM. It's taken me 14 years to get a bub so one would think the decision would be an easy one but it's just not. As much as finances shouldn't come into it they do.

We are paying a house off and this is what is making it impossible for me to stay home. We could not manage to pay a mortgage and live off DF's wage alone and although the govt would give us a little money I don't think $250 or so a fortnight is going to make up for the loss of my salary. Of course we'd be losing a lot of money to child care if I go back to work so it's really hard to work out what's best. Like you I have also considered finding a part time job, but again it's hard to work out if we'd manage OK on that.

If we were renting I'd be staying home in a heartbeat. I even wish we weren't paying off a house so I could do it, but the thought of selling up our home and possibly never getting back into the market is not a pleasant one. Without my wage we would never get a mortgage again unless DF suddenly earns a lot more than he does now.

I haven't even looked into child care yet. I keep putting it off and I think in a way it might be in the hope of not getting a place therefore delaying my return to work. There is a glut of childcare places in our area though (one closed down recently as they couldn't fill it) so that isn't all that likely.

Good luck with making your decision, I know how hard it is.

jmmum, thanks for your comments. DD has grown up so fast already and I really would like to spend time with her.

Satya, It should be an easy decision but you are right, it is not considering what our salaries are compared to what we would receive from the government, the cost of child care (if I went part time) and the housing market. As it is, we are in a 2 bed, 2 bath unit and we are busting out with the 3 of us but to find somewhere else that is newish with 3 beds and a double garage is near impossible. We are also paying very good rent so we would be looking at spending at least $100 more a week in rent if we want more space for another bub next year. I would really love our own place but we can't do it on one salary. Sigh.

I am due back in 3 weeks and I have asked for unpaid leave until the end of the year so that should give us more time to figure out what we are doing. I have pretty much told myself that I'm not going back.

I went back to work when my eldest was 5 weeks old and I really regret that.. I quit when he was 11 months. I was cranky with everyone and mostly my son and that was not how I wanted things

I have been a SAHM ever since.. Of course i would like more adult contact and more money but for now we have chosen to live the way we are as our children are only young for a short time. I figure I can always go back when they start school or are old enough to organise themselves with schooling and out of school activities..

Anyways it is a huge decision to make and for us me staying home was the best one...

I was in a high paying govt job. After DD#1 i, like you, intended to go back to work. I did, when she was 12 months old - just part time. I hated it. Its amazing how you have different wants, different aspirations, different attitudes when you have children.No longer was i the high flyer corporate woman whom didnt mind staying back till 8pm, who didnt mind getting to work at 7am, who didnt mind work, work, work.
I lasted 7 months - and quit. Dh and i made the decision (thru a hell of a lot of tears and sobbing by me to actually let go...) that i would be a SAHM and bring our children up, he would be the breadwinner.
At the end of the day, your taking 4, 5 years out of your working life......seems entirely worth it if you ask me...

I havent looked back. I thrive on being a SAHM.......

I just found this thread. I too am thinking about what to do when my maternity leave is finished. I am due to return to work in January. I work for a car rental company and did work for a franchise in its admin department. However, since I have been on maternity leave, my boss has sold the business back to the corporation. While they have to guarantee me a full time position, I am not sure what the role would be if I went back.
We cannot afford for me to be a SAHM full time while DF is the sole wage earner. And unfortunately we do not qualify for a whole lot of family assistance money. And we are paying off a mortgage. I would love to be a WAHM but not sure of what i can do.
Childcare costs would probably eat a huge chunk out of my wage. Even though 50% is now tax deductable, you dont get it back until tax time.

Would sure be nice if there was an easy answer to this. And I too agree that I do not want to miss out on anything DD does. She is changing every day.